Meeting Planner Checklist

Cordova Center Meeting Planner Checklist

Cordova Chamber of Commerce Member Services

Cordova offers a complete array of facilities and accommodations to meet your needs including a contemporary style 43 room hotel with a restaurant and bar overlooking the harbor and an historic 40 room lodge with a full service dining room and conference facilities for up to 60 people.

For those attendees who prefer to get away from it or may be seeking options to extend their trip, Cordova offers numerous alternatives such as B&B’s and cabins overlooking streams, sloughs and lakes. An array of area tour guides, sport guides and outfitters provide both in and out-of-town adventure.

Planning Timeline

This timeline provides a checklist for your program. Adapt it to your own particular needs — establish your own “ideal” and “can’t-miss” due dates.

FROM 6-8 MONTHS OUT, OR AT TIME OF BOOKING

Determine the objective of the meeting and develop the program and budget.

Book meeting site and support services. (Check calendar of local events to avoid conflicting or inappropriate dates.)

Send letters of agreement to hotel and suppliers.

Set up master account for your meeting charges with the hotel (authorize who can sign charges).

Invite speakers and inform them about your attendees and the facilities of the hotel, including audiovisual capabilities.

Share with your event manager the names of personnel who have provided

Festivals and Events

Cordovans love any excuse for a party! Over the years the community has created a family oriented, fun filled calendar of festivals and events that highlight the town’s character from fishing to forests.

FEBRUARY

Ice Worm Festival – Cordovans love to blast away the winter flurries with a week of activities and celebrations. Fireworks, a Variety Show, survival suit races in the harbor, and a great parade are just some of the many activities.

MAY

Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival– Up to five million shorebirds stop on the Copper River Delta to rest and feed during their annual spring migrations. Cordovans celebrate with viewing tours a bird count and plenty of workshops and community events.

First Copper River Salmon Harvest– Witness the bustling activity of a working fishing town as our fleet gears up for the opening of the commercial fishing season. Join the town on the docks to welcome the fleet in and celebrate the return of those prized wild Copper River king and red salmon. Meet the fishermen on the docks and head over to a local restaurant for some fresh salmon.

JUNE

Cordova Museum Fish Follies Juried Art Show – The annual juried exhibit invites artists from throughout the United States to submit fishy works of art.

JULY

Old Time Downtown 4th of July Festival. This free-to-all festival is an old-fashioned community celebration. Kelp-box derby, kids games, square dancing, woodsman contest – and fresh grilled Copper River wild salmon barbecue, community potluck and homemade pie social. It’s free and open to the public.

Cordova 4-H Music Camps –Bluegrass, Old Time, and Hawaiian music and culture for kids and adults in this amazing week-long camp. www.bluegrasscampsforkids.com

Copper River Salmon Jam – An amazing weekend festival featuring live music, delicious salmon, arts & crafts and a marathon and fun runs along the Copper River Highway. www.copperriverwild.org

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

Annual Native Village of Eyak Sobriety Celebration– This celebration of healthy living brings together Alaska Natives and guests from throughout the state for a weekend of Native dance performances, workshops, craft bazaar and a traditional potlatch. www.nveyak.com

DECEMBER

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Christmas Bazaar – Santa and the Cordova Volunteer Fire Department parade down First Street to kick-off the holiday season. Tree lighting and open house at The Cordova Chamber of Commerce, craft bazaar at Bidarki Center with locally made crafts, art and more.

Who to contact

To start planning your trip, call to the Cordova Chamber of Commerce. We’ll help you get rolling with planning your site visit and getting connected with local vendors to supply all your meeting needs.